Fruit ripe December to February; 2-7/8 in. long, 2-3/8 in. wide, medium in size, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, symmetrical, uniform; stem 3/4 in. long, thick, curved; cavity obtuse, shallow, symmetrical, often slightly lipped, small; calyx open, large; lobes not separated at the base, broad, narrow; basin narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical; skin very thick, tough, roughish; color dull greenish-yellow, with a faint orange blush on the exposed cheek, marked with many brown and russet dots and netted with russet; dots numerous, small, brownish-russet, inconspicuous; flesh tinged with yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, juicy, aromatic, with a lively vinous flavor; quality good. Core large, closed, axile, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. [Illustration: DOYENNÉ BOUSSOCK] DOYENNÉ BOUSSOCK =1.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =1=:31, Pl. 1851. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 210. 1856. =3.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 742, fig. 1869. _Doyenne Boussock Nouvelle._ =4.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 143. 1841. _Beurré de Mérode._ =5.= _Ann. Pom. Belge_ =5=:81, Pl. 1857. _Doyenné de Mérode._ =6.= _Pom. France_ =2=: No. 86, Pl. 86. 1864. =8.= _Guide Prat._ 64, 266. 1876. =7.= Mas _Le Verger_ =3=: Pt. 1, 171, fig. 84. 1866-73. _Doyenné Boussock._ =9.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =2=:58, fig. 1869. =10.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 564. 1884. _Boussock._ =11.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._ 36. 1883. _Doppelte Philippsbirne._ =12.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 204. 1889. =13.= Gaucher _Pom. Prak. Obst._ No. 33, Pl. 61. 1894. This old Belgian pear is a leader in the second rank of commercial pears in this country. If the fruits were better in quality and kept a little longer, the variety would take rank among the best commercial pears, for the fruits are handsome and the trees are nearly flawless. As the color-plate shows, there are few pears more attractive than this one, but the briskly acid flavor is not pleasing to many, and the fruits become soft at the center soon after ripening. The pears are above medium in size and are sometimes large or very large. The seeds are often abortive. The trees are very large and vigorous, as hardy as those of any other pear to cold, less susceptible to blight than most of their orchard associates, and are remarkable for their prominent buds and large, thick, glossy-green leaves, which turn deep red in the autumn. On some soils the trees do not hold their crop well, and it is always best to plant them where there is some protection against heavy winds. The trees are prodigious bearers, and fruit regularly, characters which make the variety desirable for local markets.